Temba Bavuma
Temba Bavuma. Image-Twitter

South Africa will face a powerful fast bowler from an Indian side hungry to demonstrate themselves once their Twenty20 series begins in the sweltering summer sun of New Delhi, skipper Temba Bavuma said Wednesday.

The first of five games for the touring team will take place on Thursday, with the focus remaining on the short format ahead of this year’s T20 World Cup.

Temba Bavuma and KL Rahul, IND vs SA
Temba Bavuma and KL Rahul (Credits: Twitter)

On home soil, India has consistently leaned on its spin, but fast bowlers Avesh Khan and untested Umran Malik have kept the nation’s fast bowling supplies afloat.

Bavuma told reporters, “It has affected our approach.”

“They have fast bowlers and spinners in their lineup. In terms of planning, we’ve focused not only on the spin but also on making sure we’ve covered all of our options in terms of fast bowling.”

Temba Bavuma
Temba Bavuma. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Veteran fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami have indeed been rested for the series, potentially allowing Malik, who bowled at above 150 km/h in the Indian Premier League, to make his international debut.

‘It’s an exciting series for both India and South Africa’: Temba Bavuma

Bavuma stated that India’s fresh generation of talent will indeed show a better challenging problem than their previous meeting in South Africa earlier this year when the hosts won 2-1 in Tests and 3-0 in one-day internationals.

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“Both India and South Africa are looking forward to this series. This is a various group of guys; there are a lot of younger, fresher faces on their team “Bavuma stated.

Temba Bavuma
Temba Bavuma (Image: ICC)

“Guys with a lot to offer, lads who would like to stake a claim for a spot on the Indian team,” he added.

“We’re not wanting anything easy. We are not expecting everything to unfold in the same manner as it did in South Africa.”

The first T20I between India and South Africa will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The first Twenty20 International between India and South Africa will begin at 7:30 p.m. IST on Thursday (June 9).

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